Cia's Stories: eBook Review: Jinxed by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Today I'm featuring Jinxed by Sandrine Gasq-Dion. I share my thoughts on the eBook, as well as the book information and buy links. There's also a contest, so don't pass that up! You could win an awesome swag pack!

Jinxed is anything but when it comes to a successful sequel, while also remaining readable as a standalone. This spin off sequel follows a new main character from the first book, Fret, which featured a hot wetwork artist doing babysitting duty for a somewhat reluctant rocker, Gareth. He's the front man of the band that forms the main character pool for this series. I enjoyed the fact that Jinxed didn't follow a similar formula to book one. The relationship and the drama are completely different.

We are introduced to the main character for Jinxed, Jinx (go figure), when he's dealing with an... uncomfortable situation. It shows off his character pretty quick; he's a lot loose with his body, but he has people he cares about, even if he'd rather be alone from time to time. The band is close knit, though, definitely brothers with a lot of different mothers.

He's also pretty damn decent to his fans, which is how he firsts meets Jayden during a random encounter. The encounters continue but turn carnal. But while they're sharing their bodies, that doesn't mean they're sharing themselves. And that leads to a lot of drama.

Just as with Fret, I found Sandrine's writing to be smooth and effortless to read. The images are easy to imagine, and the words get out of the way of the story in a superb way. I loved the character progression in both Jayden and Jinx. We get a good idea of where the series is going (and that's helped by the third story preview at the end of the book) and once again, we're taking a new path without leaving the rest of the band behind. With any sort of spin off series, that is absolutely vital.

Now, before you think I'm glad-handing this review, there was a major issue that pulled this story from a higher rating. Without giving away the entire gist, there are motivating factors that affect the main characters based on the personality and presentation of several vital secondary characters. As is often common with gay fiction, parental reaction to coming out can go a few different ways. In this story, we see a couple, but the negative reaction turning into a positive--after years of no contact by choice--felt far too easy. Even when using secondary characters, we need to see their progression to make it believable, and that just didn't happen here.

That issue, however, is a minor one that doesn't really affect the plot but more the main characterization for Jayden based on their past actions, so I only took off a single star. It affected the believability of the story, but not my enjoyment one whit. If you enjoyed Fret, I'm sure you'll enjoy Jinxed as well.

TITLE: Jinxed

SERIES: The Rock Series #2

AUTHOR: Sandrine Gasq Dion

PUBLISHER: Skull Blaster Publishing

COVER ARTIST: Kellie Dennis

LENGTH: 52,000 words

RELEASE DATE: October 30, 2015

BLURB: Jinx Jett is a rock superstar. As such, the hunky Skull Blasters drummer thoroughly enjoys the many perks of willing groupies, earning him a reputation as the band slut. Making it big and scoring hot women is something Jinx never expected. There's a little voice in the back of his mind constantly reminding him of how he used to be -- shy, overweight and acne prone. One night in a gay bar turns life upside down when Jinx runs into Jayden Dempsey, a kid he's been fantasizing about since giving him his autograph at a mall. Long-held insecurities keep Jinx from fully committing to anyone, and he may lose Jayden if he can't put his past behind him.

Jayden Dempsey always wanted out of his life in small-town Alabama. When his parents kicked him out after he told them he was gay, Jayden decided the time was right to move on. He crosses the country to try out for 'Singers!', a show that propels unknowns to stardom. In a twist, producers choose him and three others as winners and form a boy band called London Boys.This season, the show brings Jayden and the guys back for the finale. Surprise! The contest's heavy metal finalist will be singing with Skull Blasters.

Jinx and Jayden's initial meeting doesn't go so well, and Jayden's stunned when the guy he's crushed on for years turns out to be a total jerk. It doesn't stop him from falling into Jinx's arms every time they're alone, but Jayden didn't sign on for one nighters. He wants Jinx Jett, baggage and all.

Can a former teen outcast put rejection behind him and embrace the acceptance standing right in front of him? How much will one boy bander put up with from his rock idol before enough is enough? Can they make it work? Or are they jinxed in love?

“Can I get some clothes?”

“I like you in a robe.” Jinx waggled his brows.

I started for the door and Jinx jumped up and grabbed my hand. He pushed me into the wall and gently pinned my hands above my head.

“Jinx …”

I gasped as his thigh insinuated itself between my legs, rubbing my balls.

“Yeah?” his breath caressed my lips.

“I … fuck … stop doing that,” I panted.

“This?” Jinx raised his knee higher and rubbed my dick.

My God, my mouth actually started watering as Jinx leaned in closer to me, letting his tongue trail my bottom lip. I wanted to taste him so fucking bad my whole body hurt. I wanted him. I couldn’t deny it.

“Fuck, you are sexy as sin,” Jinx rumbled against my lips. “Love your lips, your eyes, even your fucking hair turns me on.”

I clenched my eyes shut and tried to stay in control.

“Yeah? Even if I’m a talentless pretty boy?”

Jinx stiffened. He pulled back slowly and searched my eyes.

“I’m sorry I said that.”

“Yeah? Why did you say it? What’s your problem with me being in a boy band?”

Jinx sighed and let my hands go. He rubbed his hands down his face and exhaled slowly. I continued to speak because by that time, my word vomit had begun.

“I don’t even like boy bands, but you know what? This is where I am and fuck it! I’m successful. Do you know I auditioned with one of your band’s songs?” Jinx’s gasp was very audible in the room. His eyes widened. “Yep, that’s right. I sang Manwhore; the song fits you.”

“I deserve that.”

“Are you going to tell me what your problem is?” I placed my hands on my hips, glaring at him.

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Best-selling author, Sandrine (Sandy) was born in Inglewood, California. Raised by "Old School" French parents, she later moved to Tucson, AZ. It was there that writing became a hobby. Always told she had a great imagination, Sandy wrote short stories for her friends in High School. In college, she took more writing classes while working on her Criminal Justice degree, but it wasn't until a soap opera caught her eye that she got involved in male on male romances. On the advice of a friend, Sandy dipped her toes into the world of M/M Romance. Sandy takes the writing seriously and has had countless conversations with gay men as well as hours of research. She's been involved with the military in one way or another for over twenty years, and has a great deal of respect for our men in uniform. She's traveled the world, but has finally returned to Arizona.

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